Cuddling into the couch tonight I mouth breathed my first little sigh of relief in a long time. (My cold has moved into my nose and now I can only breathe through my mouth. You know. Like that stupid kid who had head scabs in grade school) I thought to myself, "The coop's almost done, Karen. The end is near. The chickens almost have a home, your blog is doing well, you made a nice dinner tonight and I think your toe with the bunion might be straightening itself out. Things are great.".
Then I got dizzy and fell off the couch.
Seems all the mouth breathing was depleting my brain of oxygen. Karen's dreamland was nice while it lasted. It was better than nice. It was awesome. I decided today I don't use that word enough. It makes me seem old not using the word awesome. All the cool kids use it. This is awesome, that is awesome, everything is awesome. I tend to reserve awesome for things like Niagara Falls and other natural wonders of the world. Things that are awe inspiring.
Occasionally this pertains to an 8 toed cat or a really good pizza. But that's about the extent of it. This lack of using the word awesome makes me appear old to those who do use the word awesome. Did I already say that, like 2 sentences ago? Wow. Way to cement the idea your brain is young and spry, Karen.
I vow from this day forward to use the word awesome more. Sound awesome?
Back to my mouth breathing. After I managed to get enough oxygen back into my brain I realized things weren't quite as rosy as I'd thought. I gave some thought to what actually still needed to be done on this coop and it occurred to me. The end, was definitely not near.
Remaining Coop Work
1. Stain all the spruce siding.
2. Cut and install the siding.
3. Cut and install foam insulation wherever possible.
4. Paint the interior.
5. Install the hardware cloth.
6. Trim.
7. Build interior mechanics for sliding door.
8. Cut plexiglass for vent protection in winter.
Would you like to save this stuff?
We'll email you this post, so you can refer to it later.
9. Install flatscreen and run satellite.
10. Make rolling boxes for grain and shavings side box.
11. Make screen door for run.
12. Take nap in coop run.
13. Draft Kijiji ad "Free chickens to good or not so good home".
14. Take a nap in coop run. Again.
15. Paint interior of coop and run.
16. Install solar light in coop.
17. Caulk around coop roof and interior.
18. Cry a little.
19. Level coop by raising up slate flooring in places.
20. Cry a little more, save the tears in a decorative jar and hang it from a tiny bracket on the side of the coop.
So that's what's left to do. Awesome.
Thumper
I like #12.. Take a nap in the coop.. that is so me!! And as an ex-Californian I give you permission to say Awesome whenever you want!!! Seize the word as yours!
My goodness I think you are my long lost relative!! Love your writing!
http://www.ThumperLane.com
Karen
Thanks Thumper! ~ k!
Daisy Jay
We believe in you, Karen! Take it from someone who was lost in a battle of home improvement for over a year and lived to tell the tale: you can do it!
Linn Caine
Karen, I too, am preparing for coop building and chicken adopting. Your coop sounds "awesome". Did you design it yourself, or is it from an acquired plan?
Karen
Linn - I'm building the coop from scratch. Like an idiot. No plans. ~ karen
Michelle
http://www.mypetchicken.com/catalog/chickens/Herb-Garden-Coop-Plans-4-chickens-p927.aspx
Have you seen this? I know you probably don't want to add to the workload but I thought you might like the herb garden thing. You know how you eat an elephant right? I'm cheering for ya.
earthpuppy
awesomesauce!
Bill C.
Your work is so inspiring although I hope #18 is tears of joy, you earned it!
Amy in StL
I just feel the need to add "Awesome." I didn't want to feel old and out of touch with the kids these days.
Shauna
Awesome as usual! I've just found the place where I will be getting my pullets - we pick them up on July 9th - I'm super excited. The coop should be finished this weekend, and then we need to seal off the backyard so they can't sneak out and party on the town. This is all so exciting:) Except for your cold, that's not exciting, that just sucks.
Karen
Shauna - Yes it does suck. Large. I'm still working (not 'cause I want to but because I find it more stressful to be sitting on the couch thinking about what needs to be done). I'm glad to hear your coop is almost done and you're getting your chickens. I'm on the lookout for an Araucana to add to the flock. Very rare in these parts, but I may have a lead thanks to the good Dr. Richardson, whose coop I featured a few weeks ago. What kind of chickens are you getting?
Benita
Can't breathe? Cut up a garlic clove and a raw onion, place it in a bowl by your head and breathe it while you sleep. Do this for a few nights and it will clear out your nasal cavities and make you dream of wonderful Italian restaurants.
Get better quickly and Your posts make my day!
Jen A
Karen, you can't promise the chickens satellite tv and a flatscreen tv and then not deliver. They won't trust you anymore.
So ... are those feathery creatures still the best gift you've ever received??
I'm glad you're ignoring your rule to not post until the coop is done. I also like to break my own rules.
J
Ana
Yes! Wicked awesome!
Also think the coop is wicked nice. : )
Marie
If anybody can do it, you can! We're here to cheer you on and offer words of encouragement whenever you need them. I'm from Boston so I think you're "wicked awesome."
Karen
Marie - LOL. Even better. Wicked Awesome shall now be used everyday. ~ karen!